Athelred (Ethelred) 'The Unready' was King of the English from 978 to 1016. The term 'Unready' was probably a misinterpretation of the word 'un-raed' which meant 'lack of council'. It appears that Athelred was not able to make any decisions on his own and relied on the Witan council heavily. Athelred first married Aelfgifu and then in 1002 married Emma the daughter of Richard I Duke of Normandy. In 1013 the Danes invaded England forcing the Saxon king into exile in Normandy. From September of 1013 Swein Fork-Beard of Denmark is acknowledged as King of all England, but he died in February 1014. Swein's son Canute was elected King of England by the Danes but the Witan council elected Athelred. Athelred sent a delegation from Normandy, including his son Edward (the Confessor), to England to discuss his return and in March of 1014 he resumed his reign.